Puzzle or game apparatus



I (No Model.) v

' v 0.3. BALDWIN, v PUZZLE OR-GAME APPARATUS} No, 604,872. v Pitented May 31, 1898;

WITNESSES: INVENTOR MW 168W BY I ya: NORRIS warms co, vnnfoumo WASHINGTON. u. c.

p from the others.

A NITED STATE-S 1 PATENT OFFICE-i CHARLES BALDWIN, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PUZZLE 0R GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,872, datedMay 31, 1898.

' Application filed March 16 1897. Serial No. 627,842. (No model.)

cause the latter to point to or indicate a cer-,

tain character, as a letter or numeral; and

-'the principal features of the invention are a a board, a ball or balls to roll over the same,

1 one or more indicating-stars rotatively mount-" ed. on the board and surrounded each by a series of characters marked on the board, and an obstacle-star mounted rotatively on the board to deflect the ball.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan of a spelling puzzle or game embodying the invention, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same on line m in Fig. 1.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, A is a rectangular tray or box forming an inclosure, the sides a of said box projecting above the general level of the bottom a thereof, which latter forms the puzzle-board. On this board a), which is a level plane, are rotatively mounted four stars or star-shaped devices I), each of which has one of its points I) marked in some manner to make it distinguishable As here shown, the main portion of the star is supposed to be colored and the point b left white at its tip.

Around each star 12 is a circle with the letters of the alphabet marked in proper succession thereon. This circle of letters is designated by c in Fig. 1.

Within the spaceinclosed or bounded by the stars Z) and their circles of letters 0 is a similar rotatively-mounted, star b which is not or need not be marked.

A loose or free ball 01, preferably of metal, forms a part of the apparatus. By a free ball is meant one adapted to roll freely over the plane surface ofthe board and not guided in a channel, :groove, or the like.

With this apparatus any word not exceeding four letters may be spelled as follows: Shake or move the box'in such a manner as tocause the ball (1 to roll over the board and turn the star I) at the upper left-hand corner the lower corners, taking care not to allow the ball to shift the stars already set.

The ballrot at es the stars by engaging their points.

The central star b forms an obstacle to the movements of the ball and makes the puzzle or game more difficult by catching and deflecting the ball from the course itis desired to travel.

Fig. 1 shows the apparatus in a simple form, with only four letter-indicating stars I) and one obstacle-star b but it will be obvious without illustration that by enlarging the dimensions of the board a a greater number of stars may be employed.

The stars should rotate easily, but not so freely as to shift unless touched by the ball.

It will be obvious that numerals'or other characters may be substituted as equivalents for the letters of the alphabet arranged in circles a about the stars bin Fig. 1. This substitution is too simple to require specific illustration.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A puzzle or game apparatus comprising a board with an elevated marginal rim, an indicatingstar mounted rotatively on said board, a series of characters marked on said board around said indicating-star, an obstacle-star mounted rotatively on the board, and a ball to roll freely over the board.

2. A puzzle or game apparatus comprising a board with an elevated marginal rim and having the letters of the alphabet arranged in a circle thereon, a rotatively-mounted indicating-star b, on the board within said circle, said star having one of its points marked so as to distinguish it from the other points, and a ball free to roll over the said board and to rotate said star by contact with its points.

3. A puzzle or game apparatus comprising a board with an elevated margin, a ball free to roll over-said board, a plurality of indicating stars I), each having a marked point, I11 witness whereof I have hereunto signed mounted rotatively on the board, the letters my name in the presence of two subscribing of the alphabet being arranged in a circle 011 witnesses.

the board about each of said stars I), and an CHARLES E. BALDXVIN. obstacle-star b rotatively mounted on the Witnesses:

board within the space inolosed between the ALEXANDER IIENKEN,

stars I), substantially as set forth. JOHN MOLOUGHLIN. 

